Booktree.ng_Forgotten-Witness

“Your father was frantic when he found out. He assaulted a
superior officer and at least one of the other recruiters. He
called the newspapers. He went to the police.”
“No, he didn’t,” Josie insisted. “There was no missing
persons report.”
“There was,” the priest assured her. “But everywhere he
went, the government wiped away his imprint. Paperwork
disappeared, people he talked to were reassigned or
intimidated.”
“If he was causing that much trouble, why wasn’t he court
martialed or jailed?” Josie asked.
“He was no longer with the army so a court martial was out
and jailing him would give him a pulpit. Whoever he was
reporting to made it clear that it was very easy to make him
disappear completely. There was no mistaking the threat,
Josie. If he stayed silent, you would both be safe.”
“Me? They threatened a kid?”
“It was implied. Neither one of us believed they would hurt
you, but given what they had done to your mother he couldn’t
risk it.” Father Ridge shook his head. “Still, he tried once
more. He promised not to pursue the matter if he could see
your mother one more time. He had such elaborate plans to
save Emily. He was going to bring her home and the three of
you would go away and be safe. He was like Rambo.”
Christopher Ridge tried to smile but the sad memories
outweighed the fond ones and he failed miserably.
“Josie, your father had never seen the actual human
devastation this program wreaked until he saw your mother.
Emily had no memory of him or you. The only saving grace
was a doctor he met. He was kind, but he was frank. Emily
would never again be able to live in the real world. Your father
felt he had no choice but to leave her where she was. This man
gave him her wedding ring. I know that much.”
“Ian? Ian Francis. Was that the name of the doctor?” Josie
asked.